1980's era Hondo Chiquita

I recently picked up a unique and somewhat rare Chiquita Travel Guitar. This guitar was designed by Mark Erlewine in the early 1980s with input from Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top.

Playing through my Fender Blues Jr. with low reverb, high bass, low mids & treble settings.

The idea was to create a short-scale electric guitar that you could take as carry-on luggage and play on a bus, plane or wherever.

Unfortunately, Hondo discontinued the Chiquita in 1985 and these guitars have become somewhat rare now.




The design was originated by Mark Erlewine (Austin, TX) with some input from Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top). Though Mark made these in his shop (and still does), he licensed the design to Hondo from 1981 to 1985. Hondo was a collaboration of IMC -- International Music Corp (Fort Worth, Texas) and Korean manufacturer Samick Musical Instruments. They marketed some of the strangest-looking instruments under the Hondo name. Their Chiquita guitars were production-line made coming from Samick's automated guitar production facility in Korea (opened 1979). Hondo Chiquita guitars have an "H" on the truss rod cover. The natural finish bodies were a three piece, neck through design.

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People & Blogs

Tags:

• chiquita
• hondo
• fender
• blues
• jr.

[seamonie48]

actually i Just won one on ebay thats yellow with two pickups. just like this one

[holmes1978]

Very good !!!

[leslieann111]

The one in Back to the future had 2 pickups and they were black and the volume knob was black. I think the white knobs and 3 pickups and toggle switch make it even more awesome! It matches the white rim around the edge of the body. The more pickups the better! ;)

[leslieann111]

I have the exact same chiquita! 3 pickups, toggle, yellow white! I love playing it. I'm a 5 ft tall girl with small hands and its perfect for me. Just right in scale! Chiquita rocks out and gets the blues! She's great! Thanks for your post. You sounded great!